Casey Mize and the Detroit Tigers encountered a dilemma recently: How to sidestep arbitration over a relatively insignificant sum of $25,000. Their solution came in the form of a contract ostensibly spanning two years but likely to last only one.
Mize indicated it’s improbable that the Tigers will opt for the contract’s second year, implying a potential return to arbitration next January.
“We’ll likely repeat this process, maybe with smoother results, maybe not,” Mize remarked on Tuesday.
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Mize clarified that there are no lingering hard feelings regarding the contract negotiations with the Tigers. He noted that the negotiation process was standard, except for the discrepancy in the amount involved.
The Tigers proposed $815,000, while Mize’s representative requested $840,000.
Formally, the Tigers operate as a trial-and-file club, halting negotiations once both sides present figures and gearing up for arbitration proceedings. However, there exists a loophole: an arbitration hearing can be averted through mutual agreement on a multiyear deal.
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Thus, a compromise emerged. The Tigers consented to pay Mize $830,000 in 2024, coupled with a team option for 2025 worth $3.1 million, with a $10,000 buyout.
Mize expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of the option being exercised. He perceived it as a way out of the predicament they faced. He acknowledged that accepting the offer seemed optimal for all parties involved.
Arbitration salaries are typically influenced by comparable players. It’s improbable for a player earning $830,000 in the first year of arbitration to leap to $3.1 million in the second.
Consequently, the Tigers will likely decline the option, issue Mize a $10,000 payment, and restart negotiations for a 2025 salary more aligned with expectations, possibly around $2.5 million.
Ultimately, Mize will eventually receive his requested $840,000, while both sides circumvent the cost and discomfort of an arbitration hearing.
“Based on the data, reaching $3.1 million would be extremely challenging, especially considering the circumstances of this year, coming off Tommy John surgery,” Mize explained. “That figure is significantly high. I anticipate reentering arbitration for the second time and going through this process again.”
Mize, the Tigers’ top overall pick in 2018, has been sidelined for much of the past two seasons due to injury but is now fit for the 2024 season. With at least three more seasons before free agency, it’s in the best interest of both parties to maintain a positive relationship.
Mize emphasized that the contract matter is purely business and not personal.
“I cherish being a Tiger just as much today as when I was first drafted, or two years ago, or whenever. I love it here. There’s no animosity toward anyone.”
